EPISODE · Sep 2, 2025 · 39 MIN
The Overlooked Cocaine Crisis in Addiction Treatment
from Recovery Matters! Podcast · host Chad McDonald, Connecticut Community For Addiction Recovery (CCAR)
Dr. Chad McDonald is the Chief Medical Officer at InterCommunity (a not-for-profit, addiction and behavioral health leaning FQHC-LA in the Greater Hartford, CT area), where he has the privilege of helping people find hope and healing through recovery. Initially a family physician by training, Dr. McDonald became board-certified in Addiction Medicine after witnessing the impact of substance use disorders on people close to him. Today, he works alongside a dedicated team providing compassionate, whole-person care for individuals and families across Greater Hartford.In addition to his clinical and leadership work, Dr. McDonald serves as Connecticut’s Physician Addiction State Champion with the Opioid Response Network and is an appointed member of the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC), where he advocates for using health IT to reduce barriers to care and strengthen recovery supports.Dr. McDonald believes that recovery is possible for everyone and that access to care should never be out of reach. For anyone ready to begin their recovery journey—or for loved ones seeking help—InterCommunity offers medical detox, residential rehab, and outpatient programs. Learn more at https://www.intercommunityct.org/ ----Across the Web----🌎 CCAR Website https://www.ccar.us✉️ Donate: https://ccar.us/donate/🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Apple Music): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...🎙Recovery Matters Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1wGUMMO...🗣Recovery Matters Podcast TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@recoverymatterspodcast?🗣Recovery Matters Podcast Instagram https://www.instagram.com/recoverymatterspodcast/🗣CCAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCAR4Recovery📸CCAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccar4recovery🐦CCAR Twitter: https://twitter.com/ccar4recovery
Embed this episode
What this episode covers
In this episode of Recovery Matters, TJ sits down with Dr. Chad McDonald, an addiction and family medicine physician, to talk about the overlooked cocaine crisis and the growing role of detox and medication-assisted treatment in recovery. From breaking down stigma in the recovery community to the challenges of treating fentanyl use, Chad shares clinical insights and personal connections that drive his passion for this work. 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Starting Cocaine Detox Programs 02:20 Connecticut’s Cocaine Problem 03:45 What Cocaine Withdrawal Really Looks Like 05:45 Beyond Withdrawal: The Need for Rehab 07:15 Why Chad Chose Addiction Medicine 09:00 Stigma in Addiction Treatment 12:00 Treating the Drivers of Addiction 16:30 New Medications & Low-Dose Induction 23:15 Suboxone vs Injectables: Success Rates 24:30 Other Medication Options 26:30 Recovery Is a Program of Action 29:00 Are Overdose Deaths Really Declining? 31:30 The Overlooked Role of Alcohol and Stimulants 33:15 What Needs to Change in Addiction Medicine 37:00 Advice for the First 24 Hours of Recovery 38:30 Closing Thoughts
Ready to play
The Overlooked Cocaine Crisis in Addiction Treatment
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Apr 9, 2026 ·12m
Apr 7, 2026 ·14m